Central African Republic: 9 Hunger Facts

16 January 2014

The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Amid ongoing insecurity, WFP is distributing food assistance to families in need. Here are nine key facts about the hunger crisis in CAR.

1. Because of the conflict, an estimated 2.6 million people in CAR currently need humanitarian assistance.

2. An assessment in late December found that many families are now eating one meal a day, instead of two or three previously. This adds to the risk of malnutrition.

3. The same assessment found that 60% of households have no food stocks available.

4. Across the country, food prices have increased substantially because fighting has disrupted transport, markets and traders.

5.Almost all communities – 94% – have reported not having enough seed for the next planting season. This raises the risk of a poor harvest in 2014.

6. Even before the outbreak of conflict, 30% of households - some 1.3 million people - were living without reliable access to nutritious food.

7. At the moment, insecurity is the greatest obstacle to delivering aid. Humanitarian agencies have to plan operations by the hour to exploit windows of opportunity.

8. With the rainy season coming in May, it is critical to pre-position food stocks. In a few weeks road transport could become impossible.

9. WFP has launched an appeal for US$107 million to assist 1.25 million people in CAR in 2014.

If you would like to support WFP's emergency operations, you can make a donation here.

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Hunger can be eliminated in our lifetimes

This requires comprehensive efforts to ensure that every man, woman and child enjoy their Right to Adequate Food; women are empowered; priority is given to family farming; and food systems everywhere are sustainable and resilient.